Arizona Living Economy Forum

Are you part of the local solution?

The Arizona Living Economy Forum (ALEF) is a signature event for growing prosperity in our community. ALEF is bringing together visionary speakers from around Arizona to talk about what's working locally and share tools to grow a more united, prosperous community. ALEF is creating a template for how we learn from one another and become true change makers in our own communities.

Brought to you by:

Keynote Speaker

KIMBER LANNING, FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LOCAL FIRST ARIZONA

Kimber Lanning is Founder and Executive Director of Local First Arizona, a statewide organization implementing innovative strategies for new models of economic development that create vibrant local economies. Lanning is an entrepreneur, business leader and community development specialist who works to cultivate strong self-reliant communities and inspire a higher quality of life for people across Arizona. Lanning’s passions, which are seen throughout her work, include fostering cultural diversity and inclusion, economic resilience and responsible growth for Arizona

The Program Will Include the Following Tracks:

Breakout Session 1 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Food, Soil and Nature: Investing in soil, local food, and nature-based businesses and infrastructure to increase the circulation of local foods in our economy.

Panelists:

Erik Stanford - Pivot Produce

Justine Hernandez - Pima County Seed Library

Rani Olson - TUSD Farm to School Chef

Don Guerra - Barrio Bread & BKW Farms

Nina Sajovec & Sterling - AJO CSA

Shared Ownership and Community Capital: Cultivating democratic economic models: worker ownership, land trusts, public assets, the commons; diverging from Wall Street to invest communities and using philanthropy to mitigate risk for pioneers.

Breakout Session 2| 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Localism and Localist Policies: Promoting a culture of local, cooperative, and community owned businesses and organizations, and advocating for policies that support these initiatives.

Panelists:

Mike Peel - Southern Arizona Director for Local First Arizona

Josh Proctor - Tucson Originals

Nelda Ruiz - Tierra Libertad

Dwight Metzger - Gloo Factory

Penelope Jacks - Strong Start Tucson

Sustainable Solutions: Provide the tools to implement sustainability strategies in our daily lives and understand the interconnectedness of green efforts for greater impact and a holistic sustainable economy.

Panelists:

John Eisele - Executive Director of Tucson Emerging 2030 District

Ann Marie Wolf - Sonora Environmental Research Institute

Tres English - Sustainable Tucson

Danielle Fidel - Technicians For Sustainability

Ray Clamons - Natural Building Works

Breakout Session 3| 3:30 PM- 4:30 PM

Opportunity and Innovation for Engagement: The University of Arizona is leading education, innovation, and intervention in the field of climate change and climate reality.

Panelists:

Gina Murphy Darling - Mrs. Greens World

Ben Champion - UA Office of Sustainability

Nancy Peterson - UA Program Manager Agnese Nelms Haury Program in Environment and Social Justice